2016 Free Agent OF/IF Cody Hynes

Who are you playing with in 2016?Started season with Heroes but team folded so free agent looking for C or higher.

2016 Free Agent – tank031122@yahoo.com

What positions do you play and what is your best position?Play OF/2B/5M/SS and would have to say wherever a team needs me to play will be my best position.

Who is the best softball player you have ever seen play?I've played with and against some of the best players in the game and it's hard to say who is the best cause everyone brings something to the table but Denny Crine, Brian Wegman, Jason Legault, David Miller, Flip Washington are some of the best players and great individuals out there.

Why do you like the game of softball?Love the competition and love being around the guys learning and teaching whenever I step on the field.

Who is the best up and coming player in softball and why?There is a ton of good young talent out there but some of the best are Nick Sansone and Isaac Gonzalez

What is your nickname in softball and how did you get it?I was given the nickname of rabbit yrs ago and it's always stuck. I guess since I have a little bit of speed lol

What is your height and weight?5'5/170 and growing lol

Where do you call home?Tucson, AZ for now but originally from Connecticut

What's your favorite way to spend an off weekend?If I'm not playing ball or working on my game it would be spending time with my 2 kids or girlfriend

What do you do for a living?I'm active duty Air Force but getting ready to retire Aug 1st after 20 yrs of service

Did you play sports in High School / College / Pro?I played 4 yrs Varsity soccer, 2 yrs basketball, 2 yrs Varsity wrestling, 4 yrs Varsity tennis. Played All Air Force softball 3 yrs

How did you get your start in softball and how did you get to the upper level?I started plying intramural softball when I got to my first duty station in Louisiana and then Naples, Italy and Germany. Once I got to Colorado I played on a D team called Rocky Mountain Bus and we won D State, C State, Military A Worlds, and then finishe 2nd at D Worlds in Kansas City out of 235 teams. I was approached by Randy Raper to come out for the All Air Force Team. After a tour in Alaska I moved to Arizona and played in a big military tournament with Denny Crine. I then got picked up with 4 The Fallen in 2014. I missed the 2015 season do to a deployment and now back ready to help out which ever team I get picked up with for the 2016 season.

What was the most surprising difference between Conference play and non-Conference play when you made the jump?I think the biggest difference is the speed of the game and every guy you play with or against are some of the best ever. No easy outs in a lineup and if you give extra outs in an inning it'll kill you.

Is there a player that you would compare your game to?I don't think so I think every player brings something different to their team and the game. You need every guy on the team to contribute to what their brought there to to whether your the so called number 1 guy or the 15th guy on the roster.

What would you say is your career highlight to this point? Maybe one play or game that sticks out to you in particular?Winning the All Armed Forces Gold medal twice was pretty huge

In your career was there a single person (player/manager/coach) who had the most significant impact on your approach to the game? Why?I would again say first my dad who taught me at a young age and then all my coaches and teammates.

What advice can you give a young player trying to break into the upper level?Be humble cause you can always learn something new from just listening. Play the game the right way with your play on the field and not with your mouth. People will notice and the right attitude goes a long way.

What type of batting grip do you use and what ounce bat?2 finger overlap the handle and either 26 or 27 oz

What do you do in the offseason to prepare for the next softball season?Weight training upper and lower body and a lot of bp.

What is your favorite sports team and your favorite sport other than softball?Would have to say baseball is my favorite sport and the New York Yankees

Do you have any superstitions and if so, what are they?No real superstitions just try to prepare for each game by stretching and throwing.

What would be your "at bat" music selection?Anything old school Metallica.

What is the best improvement upper level softball could make?Not sure I would change anything except there is a lot of players out there that are ready for the next level but don't get the recognition or have the name behind them to be noticed.

What is your favorite non-World tournament and why?I would say Toys 4 Tots in Palm Springs

What is the best softball field/complex you have played at and why?Disney stadium or Oklahoma City stadium

Where is the best place to eat on the road after a game?Anything bbq with the fellas.

What is the funniest thing you have ever seen on a softball field?I've seen a lot of funny things out there but one that was most recent was in Vegas for the super draft Brian Wegman stepped in for his first plate appearance after going to the wrong ball park sorry Brian and hitting a ball straight up to the catcher and him being so lit he did circles and dropped the ball. You know what happened next he hit the next pitch about 500 ft lol.

Tell us something about you that most would never know about you?I'm a pretty open and honest person so if you know me you know me if not then one thing you might not know is I've been all around the world and seen somethings that most people wouldn't dream about seeing.

What was your favorite sports related gift you have ever given or received?I think the gift of just being able to play the game we all love to play and I thank my Dad and all the coaches or teammates that have taught me how to play the game and play it the right way 100% all the time.